Fitting Specialty Contact Lenses: How We Validate the Fit, Comfort & Vision Before Prescribing

At Forefront Eye Care, we know that no two eyes are the same. When standard contact lenses fall short—whether it’s clarity, comfort, or both—specialty contact lenses can truly transform your vision and your daily life. For patients with keratoconus, severe dry eye, high astigmatism, or post-surgical corneal irregularities, finding the right specialty lens is not just important—it’s life-changing. That’s why we take a thoughtful, highly personalized approach to every fitting, ensuring you achieve the clearest vision and best comfort possible. Dr. McLeod completed a Master’s degree in ortho-keratology and Dr. Nau is a Diplomate of the Cornea and Contact Lens section of the American Academy of Optometry, a distinction held by only 150 practitioners worldwide.
 

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are custom-designed to correct complex or irregular vision problems that standard contacts can’t address. Each type serves a unique purpose:

·       Scleral lenses: Large lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, perfect for irregular corneas and severe dry eye. While we have most brands of scleral lenses, we are one of the very few practices in the country invited to fit the impression based EyePrint Pro lenses.

·       Hybrid lenses: A rigid center paired with a soft outer skirt, offering both crisp vision and enhanced comfort for irregular corneas, for specialty bifocal fits and for myopia control.

·       Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses: Small, firm lenses that provide sharp vision for many corneal and refractive conditions.

·       Bifocal contact lenses: Multiple prescriptions in one lens to correct both near and distance vision, often for presbyopia but also for myopia control.

·       Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: Worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts. These can be used for children and adults, multifocals and myopia control.

·       Bandage contact lenses: Soft lenses used to protect the cornea, relieve pain, and promote healing after surgery, injury, or chronic eye conditions.

·       Amniotic membrane contact lenses: Therapeutic lenses that deliver healing tissue to the eye’s surface, reducing inflammation and supporting recovery from severe ocular disease.

For certain lenses, we offer the OVITZ higher order aberration control as an add on feature to enhance visual outcomes. Each of these lenses requires precise measurements, customization, and expertise—something we specialize in at Forefront Eye Care.
 

The Purpose of Lens Trials

Before prescribing, diagnostic specialty lenses are used to make sure the fit is right. During this stage, we check that the lens aligns properly with your cornea and sclera, test your vision for clarity, and evaluate comfort. This process helps us detect and address any issues—such as dryness, redness, or irritation or blurred vision—before finalizing your lens design.
 

What to Expect During a Specialty Contact Lens Fitting

Your journey starts with a comprehensive eye exam and advanced imaging, including corneal topography and epithelial mapping to create a detailed assessment of the front of your eyes. From there, we select a diagnostic lens from our extensive in-office trial sets.

Once placed on your eye, we evaluate the fit under a slit lamp, measure how the lens interacts with the lids, conjunctiva and cornea, then finalize the power. Refinement of the design is an iterative process achieved with follow-up visits until we reach the perfect fit.

The end result? A lens crafted specifically for your eyes—giving you clarity, comfort, and confidence that standard lenses simply can’t match.
 

Experience the Difference of a Personalized Fit

At Forefront Eye Care, fitting specialty contact lenses isn’t just a procedure—it’s a partnership. We go beyond matching lenses to eyes; we ensure long-term success and peace of mind.

If you’ve struggled with glasses or traditional contacts, it may be time to explore specialty lenses. As one of the largest specialty contact lens practices in New England, we’re here to provide the expertise, technology, and compassionate care you deserve.

📍 Visit us in Boston, MA, or call (617) 322-0534 to schedule your consultation today.